Behçet’s disease: a rare vasculitis not to be missed

Behçet’s disease is a rare episodic, multisystem vasculitis characterised by recurrent oral and genital ulceration. First described by Hippocrates, it owes its name to the Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet, who recognised the characteristic clinical triad of recurrent aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis. However, as an autoimmune small vessel vasculitis, Behçet’s disease may involve many other organ systems, including joints, the nervous system, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

Photo courtesy of the Behcet’s syndrome community on RareConnect: www.rareconnect.org/en/community/behcet-s-syndrome.